Type composing apparatus



Aug. 14, 1962 Filed April 15.

L. M. MOYROUD TYPE COMPOSING APPARATUS LOUIS M. MOYROUD Aug. 14, 1962 1 M. MOYROUD TYPE COMPOSING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April l5, 1960 INVENTOR.

LOUIS M. MOYROUD BY I Aug. 14, 1962 l.. M. MoYRoUD 3,049,210

TYPE COMPOSING APPARATUS Filed April l5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y Yle MA rmx C OB/Ns RfLA YS INVENTUR. LOUIS M. MOYROUD Aug. 14, 1962 L. M. MoYRoUD 3,049,210

TYPE coMPosING APPARATUS Filed April l5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 COUNTER CPC RPC INVENTR.

E 6 Louls M. MoYRouD www .MW P

Aug. 14, 1962 l.. M. MoYRouD 3,049,210

TYPE COMPOSING APPARATUS Filed April 15, leso s sheets-sheet 5 (WRITE) Rm mman on mv fg@ e@ INVENTOR. LOUIS M. MOYROUD BY/WZW f i Aug. 14, 1962 1 M. MoYRoUD 3,049,210

TYPE COMPOSING APPARATUS Filed April l5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 REPEATING RELAY i?. JNVENTOK LOUIS M. MOYROUD 3,349,2l Patented Aug. 14, 1962 3,049,210 TYPE COMPSING APPARATUS Louis M. Moyroud, West Medford, Mass. Graphic Arts Research Foundation inc., S Charles St., Cambridge 41, Mass.), assigner, by mesne assignments, to Rene A. Higonnet and Louis M. Moyroud Filed Apr. 15, 1950, Ser. No. 64,690 Claims priority, application Great Britain Apr. 17, 1959 9 Claims. (Cl. 197-19) This invention relates generally to type composing machines, and more particularly to machines in which each full line of type is stored in a register or buffer unit prior to being transmitted to another unit which may be a photographic type composing machine, a tape perforator or a line casting machine. The present invention relates more particularly to machines of the kind described in the patent to Higonnet and Moyroud No. 2,682,814, in .a copending application of Higonnet and Moyroud Serial No. 741,209, tiled lune 9, 1958, in a copending application of Higonnet and Moyroud Serial No. 531,023, tiled August 29, 1955, and in a copending application of Higonnet, Moyroud and Hanson Serial No. 687,572, iiled Octoer 1, 1957, now U.S. Patent No. 2,999,434. According to the present invention a static register, preferably of the magnetic core type including correction means, is used as a buier unit between the keyboard and the type setting unit of a composing machine. The main advantages of such a register are silent operation, high speed, light Weight, ease of correction of erroneous characters and ease of erasure of lines.

Two variants are described, a rst one in which the same memory is used for both writing and reading and a second one in which two magnetic memories are provided, one being connected to the keyboard for composing while the other controls transcription.

The invention is described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, in which FIG. l is a block diagram of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows flip-flop circuits used in the embodiments described;

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram;

FIG. 5 shows a distributor used in one of the embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows in more detail the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram; and

FIGS. 8a and 8b constitute a block diagram of a third embodiment including two magnetic memories.

Two embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2. In both cases a matrix of bistable magnetic cores arranged in rows and columns formation is used. By the term bistable is meant a device which, while in an unactuated condition, will remain in either of two states, and including means to cause it to reach either state as desired. There are as many columns of cores as there may be characters in a line of type and as many rows as required by the code used to record each character and any desired service signals. In the example shown it is assumed that the maximum number of characters in a line of type is 10) and that they are coded in a system using binary digits, as described in said application Serial No. 741,209. In the example shown in FIG. l the selection of each colLLnn at the input stage is directly under the control of the carriage of a typewriter. The output of the core matrix is controlled by a timing circuit and a distributor to select, one at a time and in sequence, each column of cores. A timing circuit divides the time in two cycles, one for the storage or input of the information and the other for the reading out of said information to `avoid possible interferences between input and output. Coincidence circuits of a well-known type are used to trigger the cores from one magnetic state to the other magnetic state during the writing or recording operation and when the stored information is read the cores which have previously been triggered are automatically returned to their previous magnetic states at the same time as they are read. ln the example shown in FIG. l the typewriter is provided with seven permutation bars giving a seven digit binary code to identify each character. In addition, the typewriter is rovided with individual contacts, one for each key, which are used to send pulses through a width selection unit to the input circuits of the machine. The arrangement is the same as the one described in said application Serial No. 741,269. The recording of each character code is obtained `by sending an impulse simultaneously to the selected wires of a cable 49 and to a brush 34. This pulse is controlled by a timing circuit and generated by an input pulse generator. The brush 34, as shown in FIGS. l and 3, is attached to the typewriter carriage and contacts successively, as a line is being typed, a series of 10() terminals of a printed circuit 36. Each of these terminals is counected to a Y wire of the core matrix. These Y wires, which are the vertical wires of Fi'G. 1, are thus scanned successively during the typing of a line and at each step they receive a pulse of the same value and duration as the pulse transmitted to the X Wires, which have been selected by the input circuits. The coincidence of the X and Y pulses in a given core trigger it from one magnetic state to the other magnetic state to store the bit of information corresponding to the location of said core in the matrix. At the same time as a character identity and its width are stored in the core matrix, the information relating to its width is lsent to a counter to be subsequently used in a justifier which can be or the kind described in the above mentioned patent and applications.

One feature of the present invention is the possibility of making any desired correction before a line is sent to the type setting section of the machine or to a tape perfora'tor. It is also possible to erase the whole matrix in the case where a whoie line is to be erased. For the correction on a character-by-character basis, a correction key and a backspace key are provided and operate in a manner similar to that described in the patent to Higonnet and Moyroud No. 2,682,814. When the backspace key of the typewriter keyboard is operated the typewriter carriage moves back one step, and through a correction circuit COC, the timing circuit sends a pulse of a direction opposite that of the writing pulse and of an intensity at least double the Writing pulse through brush 34 at the appropriate time as determined by the timing circuit. The opposite pulse restores to their initial state the cores which had been previously triggered and, at the same time, generates pulses on the wires 40 threaded through the cores switched by the erase pulse. These pulses are amplified and used to subtract the width of the erased character from the counter.

When a line has been stored in the core matrix, the operation of a carriage return key on the typewriter keyboard returns the typewriter carriage and the brushes 34 and 38 back to the starting position and also initiates the reading out of the previously stored line through a read distributor controlled by a timing circuit, as shown. The reading operation should, of course, always be v1n advance of the writing operation of the next line and appropriate interlock circuits are provided to that effect.

The reading operation is carried out character by character by sending successively an appropriate pulse on each one of the Y Wires of the core matrix. The distribution of these pulses is obtained by a relay circuit in a manner described below. If we assume that the magnetic cores were all in a given state before the iirst line is stored, this state being called 0, after the Storage of the rst line has taken place certain of the cores will have been switched from magnetic state to magnetic state 1 and the reading operation will erase the stored information by returning all the cores to 0. This is obtained, as in the correction case, by sending successively to each Y wire a pulse of sucient intensity and the appropriate direction to switch back to Vzero all of the cores which are not already at the 0 state of each column. The cores which are thus returned from 1 to 0 send a pulse on one or several of the wires 40, which thus receive the information corresponding to the binary code of each character and transfer this information through the output circuits to the transcription circuit.

One kind of distributor which can be used in the present machine to energize successively 'each Y wire corresponding to each character of a line is shown in FIGS. 3,4, and 5. Fig. 5 shows a well-known relay decoding tree with 31 outputs. The present embodiment with G characters in a line would require 100 outputs but a reduced number only are shown for the sake of clarity. These circuits are well-known in the art and will not be described in detail. The tree is controlled by pairs of relays A1-B1, A2-B2, Afl-B4, A8-B8, A16- B16 etc. These relays are also part of a well-known Hip-flop circuit shown in FIG. 3. When a cam 2S sends pulses to a wire 50 through a switch 48, a relay A1 operates immediately, a relay B1 operates as soon as the rst pulse disappears, and both relays remain energized until the second pulse appears which immediately releases the relay A1, the relay B1 being released at the end of the second pulse, and so on as shown in FIG. 4. Relays A2 and B2 operate once for each two operations of the relays A1 and B1 and relays A4 and B4 operate once -for every four operations of the relays A1 and B 1, and so on. It can thus be seen that by sending a series of pulses through the cam 28 to the wire 50, the output wires numbered Y0 and Y31 in FIG. 5 yare vsuccessively connected to the pulse generator shown in the figure.

The timing circuit is such that relays Al-Bl A16-B16 are at a stable, energized or released, position lat the time the pulse is sent by the pulse generator to trigger the cores controlled by the selected Y wires. When Vit is desired tov release one distributor and return it to zero a relay ELRI is operated, or a key 50 is depressed to disconnect relays A and B from the battery and release all of them simultaneously.

FIG. 6 shows in more detail the arrangement shown in. the block diagram, FIG. l. The composition unit shOWn at 54 comprises mainly a typewriter provided permutation bars such as 56, a special key SK `for special function codes, an individual contact for each character, a circuit to ascertain for each character a WidthV value expressed in units and in a binary code, and locking means to prevent the typewriter keyboard from being operated during certain intervals or under certain conditions.

When a key is depressed a pulse is Sent to an arrangement vof relays RS, RA R32, R64. As shown, the selectedrelays lockon a common wire 58 and a circuit provided to prevent a common relay RU from operating before vall the'- repeating relays which are supposed to operate havezoperated. This circuit has been disclosed in detail in said co-pending application Serial No. 53l ,Q23. The relay RU is used to control the time at which an impulse of proper direction andl intensity isfsentto the core matrix 68 through input circuits 62. In order for the relay RU to operate, the following two conditions should be fullled: All the repeating relays which have been selected by the permutation bars and the other circuits of the keyboard should have operated; and the battery connected to the relay RU toprevent its operation through a wire 64 from the cam CA1 should have been disconnected. (All of the repeating relays are assumed to be grounded.) Cam CAI thus prevents the relay RU from operating except at the right time in the cycle of the machine in order'to prevent interference between the writing of the characters of a line and the reading of the characters of the ,previous line. When the cam CA1 opens its contacts the relay RU, which has been connected to a batterythrou-gha wire 66, operates and closes a contact 67 which allows a pulse from the cam CA2 to reach the write pulse generator 20 which is designed to send one pulse of the appropriate shape, direction, duration and intensity to the wire 68. As can be seen in the drawing', the same pulse passes through the selected contacts of repeating relays R64, the appropriate X Wires 60 of thematrix and also through the brush 34 and the Y Wire corresponding to the position of the typewriter carriage, that is, corresponding to the location of the character along the path of the typewriter carriage 76.

As soon as the key of the typewriter is depressed a circuit KBL is energized to lockthe keyboard and prevent the depression of any key before a sequence of operation has taken place to insure that the code corresponding to the selected character has been stored and that a typewriter escapement ES has operated. The typewriter escapement is operated by the relay RU, as shown in FIG. 6, and releases the Yrepeating relays by removing the locking battery connection from the Wire58.

When a correction is desired, for example when it is desired to remove the last typed character by using the back space key, a relay K is operated which transfers the input brush 34 from the wire 68 to the wire 78, thus' allowing a correction cam CPC to send a pulse through the correction pulse generator 34 atth'e appropriate time, determined by the correctionrelay COR. it is clear that other means to read the code of an erroneously .stored character could be used and the means described above are given as an example.

The correction pulse appearing on the Wire 7S resets to zero the cores which have been previously switched to position 1. The cores thus forced to returnto .0 send a pulse to the X wires 60 passing through them and through the appropriate output circuit. These pulses corresponding to the width of the character being erased reach the counter to subtract said width from the total count.

The reading of a line can proceed at the same time as the writing of the succeeding line in a manner similar to that described above by using an interlocked brush 38. vIn order to read a previously stored line, pulses aresuccessively sent to the Y wires through cable S0 connected to the output of read distributor 82 which may be of the type shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. A pulse generator 22 sends, at the appropriate time determined by the transcription pulse relay CPR and cam RPC, a kpulse of the proper direction, shape, duration, and intensity to return to 0 all the cores through which the Y wire selected by the distributor S2 is threaded. As explained above for the case of correction, the cores switched back to 0 generate a pulse on their respective X wires which is amplified and channeled through the output circuit to the transcription circuit of the machine which may be similar tc that described in said co-pending application Serial No. 687,572. When it is desired to erase a whole line, a relay KL is operated which prevents the pulses read by the output circuits from reaching the transcription unit.

The interlock brush 3S which, as shown in the drawing, makes contact with two terminals of printed circuit 36 in advance of the write brush 34 is connected through the wire 26 to a timing circuit S6 and to the keyboard locking mechanism KBL. ri`he purpose of the locking circuit 86 is to prevent the operation of the keyboard for a given time, for example 100 to 200 milliseconds. Supposing, for example, that the read circuit of the matrix has momentarily stopped to wait for certain machine functions to be terminated, it is then possible for a fast typist to catch up with the read distributor. In this case, the brush 38 reaches the terminal receiving impulses from the read pulse generator and, through the circuit 86, locks the keyboard of the typewriter. The circuit S6 is such that, after reading a pulse, it remains energized for a certain length of time, for example 200 milliseconds, in order to enable the read circuit to move several steps ahead of the typewriter carriage.

FIG. 7 shows how one machine cycle can be divided in order to enable the use of a common matrix for the writing of a line and the reading of a previously stored iine. If we assume that the machine is controlled by continuously rotating cams, as for example the cams described in said Patent No. 2,682,814, and that the speed at which characters are transcribed is 12.5 characters per second, one cycle will correspond to 80 milliseconds, which can be divided in groups of l0 milliseconds by the cam CAl. These pulses are used for the writing and correction of characters. The cam CA2 controls the write pulse generator, the cam GA3 controls the correction pulse generator, and the cam CA4 controls the read pulse generator. It can be seen that suiiicient time is left between pulses used in the input circuit and those used in the output circuit to avoid interference.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the static storage is used to control a type setting machine from a tape which has previously been prepared on a typewriter or tape punching mechanism not provided with means to identify the widths cf each character, as described for example in a co-pending application of Hanson Serial No. 21,740, filed April l2, 1960. in this case, where the only information in the tape relates to the identity of each character of a line, it is necessary in order to justify the lines to store in an appropriate storage the widths of the characters, and preferably their identity. The block diagram of FIG. 2 is similar to the block diagram of FIG. l except that the typewriter is, in this case, replaced by a tape reader and the typewriter carriage is replaced by a write distributor similar to the "read distributor previously described. The tape reader reads the seven identity codes of each character and through a decoder width cards circuit and encoder, the width of each individual character in binary form is transmitted through the input circuit to the X wires of the core matrix. The identity code of the characters of the line is directly sent by the tape reader to the input circuits and the X wires. The width information of each character is also transferred to a counter in order to accumulate the width of each character of a line and the number of justifying spaces of said line as the tape is read and, through appropriate circuitry, the tape reader is stopped when the justification operation is desirable as explained in the copending application of Higonnet and Grea, Serial No. 845,237, tiled October 8, 1959, now U.S. Patent No. 2,968,383. As the same core matrix is used to read the same line at the same time as another line is stored, proper circuitry has to be used to insure a safe time division. The read distributor, when it is operating at the same time as the Write distributor, is always in advance of it by two steps. Assuming that the tape reader is ready to function for the first line of a text, as soon as a switch is turned on it will Start to read the code information of each character, one at a time, at the speed of, for example, 12.5 steps per second. When the tape reader reads the lirst end-of-line code, a signal is sent via the decoder to the timing circuit. This signal allows the timing circuit to send pulses to the read distributor which starts to scan the Y wires of the matrix. The end-of-line pulse from the tape also resets to zero the fwrite distributor. At the same time as the rst pulse is sent to the read distributor, it is also sent to the tape reader via an interlock circuit which loses the iirst two pulses from the control cam and allows the tape reader to start only after the read distributor has moved two steps. In addition, the interlock circuit is such that the tape reader is at all times two steps behind the read distributor even if the latter stops for a while, for example, to allow the photo unit to perform a shift, as described in said co-pending application Serial No. 687,572. In this case, the tape reader will also stop until the read distributor has resumed its operation. As soon as either the tape reader or the read distributor transmits an end-of-line code to its associated decoder it returns to zero by operating end-of-line relays ELRl and ELR2 (FIG. 3) and, in any case, the tape reader will remain at rest with all the write distributor relays being de-energized until the read distributor has started again and moved two steps.

The operation of the read distributor via the timing circuit is initiated at the beginning of the transcription of each line by a relay SR which is operated when both endorf-line relays ELRl of the read distributor and ELRZ of the write distributor are energized. ln this case, as shown in FIG. 3, it means that both distributors are at zero. In addition, the relay SR may be prevented from being energized by a wire 42 from the transcription circuit which keeps a shunt-down potential on this relay which prevents its energization until a number of end-ofline functions such as carriage return and line spacing have taken place.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b two magnetic core memories are used alternately for writing and reading. The memories are in the form of arrays of columns of 15 cores each. FIGS. 8a and 8b show only a few columns and rows for the sake of clarity. The array is of rectangular coordinates with one Y wire (columns) and two X wires (rows) in each intersection, one X wire being for transcription proper and the other being for corrections. in the case of corrections it is necessary to read the width of the erroneous character at the same time as it is erased for correcting the line length as explained in the abovementioned patents and applications. Selection of the Y wires corresponding to the characters as typing progresses may be effected in various ways. In a preferred embodiment shown schematically in the drawing the platen of the typewriter is provided with two brushes lill (FIG. 8b) and 182 (FIG. 8a) each cooperating with 100 terminals, each connected to a Y wire, of the two memories. By means of a transfer contact of a relay INV one or the other of these brushes may be connected to a Source of pulses 153. This pulse generator may comprise a well-known condenser discharge circuit. A relay RU when closing its make contacts 104 causes the condenser to discharge into the Y Wire whose terminal is in contact with the brush lilZ (or 101).

The selection of the X Wires is effected by relays WRA, WRB WRZ, WR4 under the control of the keyboard. Selection of the relays WRA, etc. which identify the characters in code form is made by permutation bars controlled by the typewriter keys. Selection of the Width relays WRZ, etc. is made by a Width selection circuit described in said application Serial No. 741,209.

A magnetic core is tripped lwhen current flows simultaneously in the two wires Y and X passing through the said core at any given intersection.

Wires X are threaded in the core so that the magnetic effect of the driving currents adds up. Rather than Sending separate pulses in the Y wires and the X wires selected lby the relays, the same pulse is sent through the Y wire and the X wires in series. FIG. 8 shows how this may be done by means of two transfer contacts for each wire. `It is apparent that when the relay WRA,

for instance, is at rest no current flows in the corresponding X wire, which is disconnected and replaced by a short circuit.

In this way synchronisation between the X and Y impulses is automatically achieved.v It is only necessary that the relay RU which sends the impulse to the memory be operated after the relays WRA WRZ, etc. have assumed their operated positions.

In this way, the various characters are stored in the successive columns Y of the magnetic core array, the selection of the column being made by the displacement of the typewriter platen and its associated brushes.

In the rest position of relay INV (as shown in FIG. 8b) the X Wires which were used in the writing operation are now disconnected and idle. A second set of X wires is connected in parallel at one end and each wire is associated with a read-out circuit. These circuits are of conventional type and may include a filter 169 for preventing induction from relay sparking, a one-shot multivibrator llt) which is triggered by the pulse and a trip thyratron 111 if it is desired to operate relays. The relays, PBRA, PBRB PBRZ, PBR4, etc. operate according to the code stored in the column of magnetic cores. The first set of relays identifies the character, and the second its width. Transcription takes place as described in the above mentioned patents and applications.

The selection of columns of the memory during transcription may be made in different ways. The drawing shows the use of a decoder `105 similar to the one shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Under the control of a timing circuit (or cam) 106 (FIG. 8b) the decoder 105 selects in succession the Y Wires of the array. Transfer contacts of the relay INV select one of the memories for transcription and one for com-position.

Every time the decoder 105 advances one step it sends a read-out pulse to the Y wire selected by means of a pulse generator 107. This may be a condenser discharge circuit controlled by a timingcircuit 106.

Provisions are made for correcting a faulty character at the typing stage. A sequential circuit controlled by the back space key of the keyboard and a relay COR performs the following operations in succession: it moves the platen of the typewriter back one step, then through the relay COR it connects the read-out X wires which give the width of the faulty character each to reading circuits 112, and then it sends an impulse to the Y wire (by the circuit 10S) This impulse erases the information stored in the column Y corresponding to the faulty character and generates an impulse on the X width wires which operate, through the reading circuits 112, the width relays E2, E4, etc. At the same time the line length counter is placed in subtracting position and the width of the faulty character subtracted from the length of thel line. The Y column is erased at the same time and ready to receive the code of the `correct character.

The sequential circuits controlling the relay COR and the sending of the pulse to the Y wire for corrections are conventional operations similar to those described in said Patent No. 2,682,814.

The circuits described in this patent are cited by Way of example and not limitation, and other means to achieve the same results can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, for example, possible to use two magnetic core matrices, each one being successively connected to the input circuits and to the output circuits, so that a line can be stored while another is being read without the possibility of interference.

The magnetic cores of the matrix units can be replaced by other bi-stable elements or other elements which can hold an electric charge. In this case, the circuits described may have to be slightly modified in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

It `will be understood that the foregoing and other alternative arrangements, embodiments and variations of 8 structure can be effected by the use of known circuit techniques without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. In type composing apparatus, the combination of a memory matrix having two coordinate wire systems each consisting of a plurality of wires, each wire of one system being associated with each wire of the other system in an intersection, bistable means at each intersection for actuation upon the coincident arrival of pulses on both wires therein, a pulse source, and Writing means for connection of the source to the wires of one coordinate systern singly and consecutively and for simultaneous selection of combinations of the wires of the other coordinate system `corresponding to the characters selected.

2. in type composing apparatus, the combination of a memory matrix having two coordinate lwire systems each consisting of a plurality of wires, each wire of one system being associated with each wire of the other system in an intersection, bistable means at each intersection for actuation upon the coincident arrival of pulses on both wires therein, a typewriter having a platen carriage, a pulse source, and writing means engaged with the platen carriage for connection of the pulse source to a single Wire of one coordinate system for each step of said carriage and for simultaneous selection of combinations of the `wires of the other coordinate system corresponding to the characters selected.

3. In type composing apparatus, the combination of a `memory matrix having two coordinate wire systems each consisting of a plurality of Wires, each wire of one system being associated with each wire of the other system in an intersection, bistable means at each intersection for actuation upon the Vcoincident arrival of pulses on both wires therein, a pulse source, writing means for connection of the source to the wires of one coordinate system singly and consecutively and for simultaneous selection of combinations of the wires of the other coordinate system corresponding to the characters selected, and reading means for sensing the selected combinations consecutively.

4. In type composing apparatus, the combination of a memory matrix having two coordinate wire systems each consisting of a plurality of wires, each wire of one system being associated with each -wire of the other system in an intersection, bistable means at each intersection for actuation upon the coincident arrival of pulses on both wires therein, a pulse source, writing means for connection of the source to the wires of one coordinate system singly and consecutively and for simultaneous selection of combinations of the wires of the other coordinate system corresponding to the characters selected, and correction means engaged with the Writing means for removing any selected combination corresponding to acharacter.

5. In type composing apparatus, the combination of a memory matrix having two coordinate wire systems each consisting of a :plurality of wires, each wire of onesystem being associated with each wire of the other system in an intersection, bistable means at each intersection for actuation yupon the coincident arrival of pulses on both wires therein, a typewriter having a platen carriage, a pulse source, writing means engaged with the platen carriage for connection of the pulse source to a single wire of one coordinate system for each step of said carriage and for simultaneous selection of combinations of the wires of the other coordinate system corresponding to the characters selected, and correction means engaged with the writing means for removing any selected combination corresponding to a character.

6. In type composing apparatus, the combination of a memory matrix having a pair of multiple-lead coordinate circuits and bistable elements interconnecting said circuits, a pulse source, writing means for connection of the source to the leads of one coordinate circuit singly and consecutively and lfor simultaneous selection of com fi'i binations of the Wires of the other coordinate circuit corresponding to the characters selected, and reading means for sensing the selected combinations consecutively including a distributor adapted to complete a sensing pulse circuit to the leads of said one coordinate circuit consecutively.

7. In type composing apparatus, the combination of a memory matrix having a pair of multiple-lead coordinate lcircuits and bistable elements interconnecting said circuits, a pulse source, writing means for connection of the source to the leads of one coordinate circuit singly and consecutively and for simultaneous selection of combinations of the wires of the other coordinate circuit corresponding to the characters selected, each of said combinations including a numerical representation of the Width of a character, and reading means for sensing the selected combinations consecutively including a distributor adapted to complete a sensing pulse circuit to the leads of said one coordinate circuit consecutively.

8. The combination of claim 7 With a line counter, correction :means engaged with the writing means yfor removing `from the matrix any selected combination corresponding to a character and `a circuit actuated by said numerical representation of the width of said character to subtract its Width from said counter.

9. The combination of claim 6, including a timing circuit to cause the operation of the writing means to occur alternately with the operation of the reading means.

No references cited. 

